The headline numbers from the flagship Number Partners programme in Leicestershire

Our friends at Leicestershire Cares have achieved dizzying new heights in supporting children’s numeracy and aspirations in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland this year, under the leadership of Joanne Hudson, Number Partners Coordinator.

Joanne says: ‘This year has seen fabulous developments with the team approach to volunteering in schools. With thorough team training, in depth inductions and impeccable communication between colleagues, volunteers provide seamless support to pupils. They add value with their wealth of experience, give alternatives to prescriptive methods, bring humour and inspiration with their diverse personalities, outlook, backgrounds & culture, while ensuring that their engagement in Number Partners doesn’t affect the productivity of their business.’

200 volunteers have been involved in the project, with the highest number of member company volunteers taking part since its inception in 2006. Our incredible team of trained volunteers have supported approximately 605 children in 40 schools, with some schools receiving support from both corporate and student volunteers.

Some highlights:

Coordinators felt that 98% of pupils had made progress due to direct support from a Number Partner volunteer.

95% of pupils increased their self-esteem & self-confidence as a direct result of the sessions.

97% of pupils felt that Number Partner volunteers had helped them with their progress.

60% of children made good progress and 28% made excellent progress during the year.

98% of volunteers rated the project as excellent or good and 92% of volunteers would highly recommend the activity to their work colleagues.

100% of volunteers felt they had developed professionally from Number Partners and the skills most commonly developed were coaching and mentoring, motivating others, listening and communication skills and self-confidence.